Britain has called for the immediate release of the three hostages now held for 33 days by mutineers in the Niger Delta.
A statement issued by the British High Commissioner, Richard Gozney, on Wednesday described hostage-taking as wrong.
The statement was signed by Graeme Ballantine, Press and Public Affairs Unit of the British Embassy, Abuja
It stressed that �hostage-taking � is never a legitimate tactic in the pursuit of a grievance. Those who are holding the hostages should release them so that they can be reunited with their friends and families.
�The people of the Niger Delta have legitimate aspirations. They deserve to develop their lands and have access to safe drinking water, good schools, health care, and full participation in Nigeria’s economy.
�Nigeria’s military rule in the past made these goals seem out of reach. And hostage taking and attacks on British and other companies today do nothing to help the people of the Delta realise their aspirations�.
The statement listed the efforts being made by the UK to ensure a better deal for the region.
�The British Government is aware that the pace of development in the Niger Delta region is not meeting the needs and aspirations of its citizens. A UK All Party Parliamentary Group visited the region last year and the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, visited Port Harcourt last month to see and hear for himself the issues.
�The British Government is already working in the Niger Delta on practical, local projects � on education, peace and security, health, and youth issues. (It) is already engaged with the Nigerian Federal and State Governments to improve the lives of the residents of the Niger Delta�.
Gozney stated his preparedness to be a part of a committee that would facilitate a solution to the problem.
�After the full and safe release of the British and American hostages, and if no additional hostages are seized, at the request of the Federal Government I am willing, like my U.S. colleague, to participate as an observer in a committee devoted to exploring solutions to the long-term development issues in the Niger Delta�.